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A REVIEW OF THE HAPPENINGS OF THE PAST SEASON AT PLANO
By M. J. La Croix
To begin, 1913, or more correctly the season of 1912- 13 was in many respects a revolutionary one at Piano. This was particularly true as regards lines of production, several new lines being introduced and radical changes being made in the old. The previous season had seen the passing of the old wood spreader; and in its stead came the new steel machine with its twenty-four sizes and varieties. This meant starting the new season with an empty warehouse and a proportionately greater demand on our forge shop facilities. In turn this decreased the demand on the wood shop. The new lines introduced were the IHC and C B & Q planters and the cultivator.
The decision to build these machines at Piano came late in the fall, and as they are machines used in the early spring months it became necessary for our tool department to work to the limit in order to com¬ plete patterns and e<^uii)ment in time to turn out the product for seasonable deliveries. The only real old line left at the beginning of the season then was the wagon, this works shipping in the season of 1912-13 660 more wagons than in any previous year.
Changes and improvement in and about the shop have been many. To meet the increased demands on the forge shop made by the steel spreader, planter, and cultivator, the Company has built and completed one-half of a forge shop which is the pride of the plant. The building when completed as contemplated will house besides the forge department, the steel and stores departments. Besides this building the lumber¬ yard shed capacity has been increased by six sheds — one quarter of the yard now being undercover. A new lumber-yard office of brick with shelter and toilet rooms for the men has been built and many yards of concrete piling for lumber put in. In the foundry a new elevator and elevator building have been installed, and work is about to be begun on the installation of modern mills and exhaust systems in the casting- cleaning department. In the yard, new fences with concrete posts have been put in along with numerous other minor improvements.
In welfare work Piano has also been busy. New lights based on J C. P. per square foot for factory space and \ C. P. per square foot for the warehouses have been installed in practically the whole plant
This work is being put in in the latest approved styles no open wiring or poorly wired motors being found. New toilet rooms according to the welfare committee's recommendations have been installed. Safety guards have been put on all machines, several thousand dollars being spent on this item alone. This is a never ending job, but the men are commencing to feel that after all "safety first" is not a company matter but a personal one. Last year only five per cent of Piano's accidents were due to mechanical causes, so any further progress made along this line will have to be accomplished principally by educating the men.
Along the factory utilities line several improvements have been made. Among these are the installation of a modern drinking water system with a refrigeration plant, a new fire alarm system and a new telephone system. Also the apparatus is on the ground for a new hot water system, a utility that Piano has been with¬ out since the destruction of the old power plant.
Along economical production lines several records were broken. Electric welding was introduced to the extent of the purchase of two large welders, it being the intention to eventually weld all wagon tires by this method. The record for welding corn planter tires 2 X i'e" stock, stands at 1,800 tires per day of ten hours, a record well up towards the to]> anywhere. Another new plant record was made in the steel wheel room in March when 1,581 wheels were turned out in one day.
Along with the changes in the plant came also many changes in the works personnel. Geo. C. Blackmar, promoted to be superintendent of the Champion works, was succeeded by W. H. Lydamore, and R. A. Wilson went to Keystone as their superintendent. W. H. Weber became chief engineer to succeed J. R. Moore; Dan Williams became foreman of the forge shop; Mat Rumbach, foreman of tool room; Chas. Schrage, fore¬ man of the shipping room; Martin Anderson, foreman of tfie repair department; W. D. Cummings, foreman of the repair department from there to assistant fore¬ man of the shipping dei)artment; A. J. Ton, foreman of steel wheel and gear department; F. L. Matke to electrician; J. E. Dykstra to master mechanic; H. Kloeppel to production; M. J. LaCroix to inspection; and Geo. Kennedy to the assistant superintendency.
Miss Manhattan — "Beech nuts? Why, Uncle Josiah, I didn't think those were ever found so far inland! " Puck
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An expansive view of the Piano plant

Harvester World magazine was first published by International Harvester Company in October of 1909. From 1909 to 1946, Harvester World functioned primarily as an employee magazine, carrying news from various factories, branch houses and dealerships around the world. The magazine included biographical sketches of employees; notices of retirements and promotions; announcements regarding new company initiatives or building projects; and a variety of other news relating to nearly every facet of the company’s world wide operations. The magazine was published by the company’s Advertising Department, and also functioned as a way for headquarters to communicate with dealerships. In 1946, the magazine was redesigned and eventually shifted from an employee magazine to a more customer-oriented focus. By the 1950s, most Harvester Articles were human interest stories centering on the people and organizations who used International Harvester products. At the same time, photography became an increasingly important element in the content and presentation of the magazine. The magazine was discontinued in 1969.

A REVIEW OF THE HAPPENINGS OF THE PAST SEASON AT PLANO
By M. J. La Croix
To begin, 1913, or more correctly the season of 1912- 13 was in many respects a revolutionary one at Piano. This was particularly true as regards lines of production, several new lines being introduced and radical changes being made in the old. The previous season had seen the passing of the old wood spreader; and in its stead came the new steel machine with its twenty-four sizes and varieties. This meant starting the new season with an empty warehouse and a proportionately greater demand on our forge shop facilities. In turn this decreased the demand on the wood shop. The new lines introduced were the IHC and C B & Q planters and the cultivator.
The decision to build these machines at Piano came late in the fall, and as they are machines used in the early spring months it became necessary for our tool department to work to the limit in order to com¬ plete patterns and e anywhere. Another new plant record was made in the steel wheel room in March when 1,581 wheels were turned out in one day.
Along with the changes in the plant came also many changes in the works personnel. Geo. C. Blackmar, promoted to be superintendent of the Champion works, was succeeded by W. H. Lydamore, and R. A. Wilson went to Keystone as their superintendent. W. H. Weber became chief engineer to succeed J. R. Moore; Dan Williams became foreman of the forge shop; Mat Rumbach, foreman of tool room; Chas. Schrage, fore¬ man of the shipping room; Martin Anderson, foreman of tfie repair department; W. D. Cummings, foreman of the repair department from there to assistant fore¬ man of the shipping dei)artment; A. J. Ton, foreman of steel wheel and gear department; F. L. Matke to electrician; J. E. Dykstra to master mechanic; H. Kloeppel to production; M. J. LaCroix to inspection; and Geo. Kennedy to the assistant superintendency.
Miss Manhattan — "Beech nuts? Why, Uncle Josiah, I didn't think those were ever found so far inland! " Puck
t
An expansive view of the Piano plant